Mt. Whymper

July 25, 2009. Mt. Whymper, 2845m, +-10km, 1250m gain. (just into BC on Hwy 93)

For me this was a challenging scramble & I quite enjoyed it but was glad we were able to descend by a different route rather than downclimb some of the bigger steps.

Some pretty sustained scrambling up some cool steps formations that deteriorated into some rough dodgy going but alls well, we made it to the top without major incident.

Stanley Glacier to the south.

The day was a scorcher & I burned through my 3 litres of water before the end of the descent. I felt kinda like the burnt trees we were hikig through. Thankfully Wietse & JP had stashed some cold ones in the creek.
Now on to some backpacking prep...

Oh and Wietse's photos:

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Mount Rae

July 18 2009, Mount Rae, 3218m, +-7km, 1000m gain.
The approach is up Ptarmigan Cirque (a popular dayhike) and a scree slog with some kick stepping in the snow until the final push along an exposed ridge. At least that last bit of ridge was my preference rather than rollerball slabs.
This is one of the higher peaks in the Highwood Pass area. 220m higher than Cascade, a starting point higher than Mt. Ware just to kinda put it some sort of perspective.

Approaching the summit.
360 degree views. Mt Assiniboine in the center of this shot out over Kananaskis Lakes.
An airy drop to the east (Shannon hates these shots)
Wietse was my partner on this outing and you can view his photos on his website It was a great day out for my second scramble of the season.

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Canola

I fly by this scene twice a day & tonight after a long day surveying in Calgary I decided to pull over & shoot it. Some things should not be taken forgranted.

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Paradise Valley

July 11, 2009. Paradise Valley, Lake Annette, Giant Steps (Banff National Park) 22.5km, 500m gain.

A ‘date’ with Shannon complete with wrestling marmots and thunderous avalanches coming off Mt. Lefroy.
Lake Annette in the shadow of Mount Temple 3543m big kahuna of Banff area scrambles (maybe one year when timing with late summer / early fall weather works out...)

Giant Steps

Spire on Eiffel Peak.
Watching the avalanches. Meal and brew in Banff to top off a pretty fine day out.

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Carthew - Alderson

July 4, 2009. Carthew - Alderson (Waterton Lakes National Park) 19.9km, 650m gain, 1000m loss. (thru hike from Cameron Lake, past Summit lake, over Carthew Summit, past Carthew lakes, Alderson lake, & out at Cameron Falls in the Waterton Townsite)


Views into Montana (Glacier NP)
Carthew Lakes
Long exposure in the shade of the 'walk in the woods' final 7km.
Gotta love that beargrass!

Thanks Eric for joining me & sicky Shannon for shuttling us. Way too many shots to pick from... outstanding hike!

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Ellis Bird Farm

Few shots from June 28... one of our outings on a family visit to Lacombe was to the Ellis Bird Farm which gave me a few opportunities for some shoot'n.
Looking down the lane.

Charlie and Winnie Ellis (the orginial owners) were of my Grandparents vintage & this place has that 'visiting Grandpas farm' kind of feel. You can read about the history etc at the link above if you want. My sister recalled visiting Winnie Ellis with our Grandma for tea. The farmhouse is actually now a teahouse.

Charlie's original grain elevator.
My neice and nephews got the opportunity to bottle feed the lambs.

The place is rife with stuff I take forgranted having grown up in a similar setting. There are some great learning opportunities for kids (& adults) to learn about nature & some of the things we can do to help out. They have webcams into some of the nests & interactive exhibits as well as the grounds with nest boxes & gardens designed to encourage nature. Came away with a few good ideas & the feeling that lately things are moving way too fast. A visit to a place 'stuck in time' will do that to ya I guess.

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